Camera apparatus for producing a plane pictorial representation of a three dimensional surface



April 5, 1966 J. H. LEMELSON CAMERA APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PLANEPICTQRIAL REPRESENTATION OF A THREE DIMENSIONAL SURFACE Original FiledJan. 16, 1956 INVENTOR.

Jerome H.Leme|son United States Patent CAMERA APPARATUS FOR PRDDUCIN G APLANE PICTORIAL REPRESENTATHON OF A THREE DIMENSIONAL SURFAE Jerome H.Lemelson, 8B Garfield Apts., Metuchen, NJ.

Original application Jan. 16, 1956, Ser. No. 559,232, now Patent No.3,026,648, dated Mar. 27, 1962. Divided and this application Jan. 31,1962, Ser. No. 170,199

17 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to photographic apparatusand a method for photographing and photographically reproducing theimage of the surface of a three dimensional object. This is a divisionof my copending application Ser. No. 559,232, filed on January 16, 1956,and entitled Advertising and Display Devices, now US. Patent No.3,026,648, issued March 27, 1962.

It isknown in the art to photograph a predetermined area of the surfaceof an object by means of conventional photography in which the apertureof a conventional camera is opened for a predetermined period of timeduring which light from the object is directed against a generallyrectangular area of photographic film. If a larger area than can beaccommodated by the camera is desired to be photographed, generally aseries of different rectangular exposures or frames are photographed andare pieced together per se or oriented, spliced and then piecedtogether. It is obvious that the conventional technique of photographingthe surface of a three dimensional member by means of deriving one ormore still images of the surface of an object has many shortcomings andwill not give an accurate picture of the surface particularly if theobject has substantial curvature in relation to the focus of the camera.Portionsof the surface, so photographed, which slope sharply away fromthe camera will present distorted images and may be out of focus.Inaccuracies and human errors may be introduced during the alignment andjoining of a plurality of single frame photographs to form a map of theobjects surface. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this inventionto provide a new and improved camera apparatus and a method ofphotographing a three dimensional object or curved surface which willprovide a single image which is an improved representation of thesurface of the object in comparison to the representation obtained bymeans of a conventional camera.

Another object is to provide a new and improved apparatus and method forgenerating and recording an image of the surface of a generally convexshaped object which is generally free of many of the distortionsobtained by means of conventional photography and due to variations inthe distances of various portions of the object surface from the camera.

Another object is to provide an improved photographic apparatus andmethod for providing a single recording or image in a photographic filmof the surface of the object over a substantially infinite range ofattitudes relative to such surface.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for photographing the surfaceof a generally convex shaped object by scanning such surface as theobject is rotated in synchronization with the movement of a photographicfilm to provide a picture which cannot possibly be obtained utilizing aconventional camera and photographic technique.

Another object is to provide an appartus for photographing generallyconvex surfaces in a manner to provide a single picture illustrating animage of the surface in which the surface is presented in such a mannerthat all the points thereof are substantially in focus and may be scaledor measured more accurately than obtainable 3,244,065 Patented Apr. 5,1966 ice by the conventional photographic techniques without the needfor accounting for perspective dimensioning.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and method for photographingthe surface of a convex or convexoconcave shaped object and forreproducing such image on the surface of a similarly shaped objectwithout substantial distortion.

Another object is to provide an improved camera apparatus for providingan improved map of the surface of any three dimensional object havingportions which substantially fall-off or slope away from other portionsof said surface.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for photographicallygenerating on a flat surface such as film, a developed image derivedfrom peripherally scanning a three dimensional or convex surface whichmay be used for illustrating fiat plastic sheet or the like prior tovacuum forming such sheet into a three dimensional display, therebyeliminating the need for performing the tedious and often inaccuratemanual operation ofproviding such an illustration which is generallyderived by trial and error. 1

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for mapping a surfaceby means of a camera which is in motion.

Another object is to provide a photographic apparatus for presenting apicture of a convex surface in which dimensions may be measured withoutdifficulty.

Another object is to provide a photographic apparatus and method forpresenting a two dimensional presentation of a three dimensional objector assembly without introducing image distortion due to perspective.

Another object is to provide photographic appartus which may be utilizedto provide a single photograph of a convex surfaced or multi-facetedobject or assembly which reproduces portions of the surface of theobject which would not ordinarily be developed in a conventionalphotograph.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will be best appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view with parts removed for clarity, showing componentsof a surface mapping camera apparatus and associated object mounting andmoving apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the components of a projector andphotosensitized object receiving light therefrom which is derived byscanning film exposed in the camera of FIG. 1.

There is shown in FIG. 1, a camera apparatus employing the controlledmovement of a subject to be photographed and what will hereinafter bereferred to as a periphery camera having a film which is exposed andcontrolled in movement during its exposure past the optical system ofthe camera. The apparatus 10 comprises a camera assembly 12 and asubject assembly 14 disposed immediately in front of the optical system23 of the camera. The subject assembly 14 comprises an object 44, thesurface of which is desired to be mapped or photographed, which objectis mounted on a turntable 39 which is rotated by means of a servo motor41. The camera apparatus comprises a housing 16 having enclosing wallsincluding a rear wall 17, side walls 18 and 19, a front wail 21, and endwalls, one of which, 20, is illustrated in the cross-sectional View. Aprojecting portion 22 of the front wall 21 retains a housing 23containing optical components for receiving and imaging light from thesurface of the object 44 within the camera. Mounted at the rear of theoptical system housing 23 is a mask 24 having a slit 25' thereinpermitting the passage of only a thin band of the total image derived inscanning the facing portion of the object 44 to an adjacent film strip26 which is driven at constant speed past slit by means of a driveincluding constant speed controlled motor 3 4. The film is driven from asupply reel 27 which is supported in bearing on a shaft supported by thewalls of the housing to a takeup reel 28 which is also rotationallysupported by hearing means secured to the side walls of the housing. Thetransport for the film comprises a plurality of idlers 2 9, 30, 31 andIdler cooperates with a frictional or sprocket drive wheel 33 which isdriven by motor 34 and is efiective in lineally moving the film an at aspeed which is substantially equivalent to the velocity at which thesurface of the object being photographed is moving such that the filmwill be exposed to an image light pattern which is a developed map ofthe convex surface being scanned derived by line scanning through theslit 25 in the mask 24. The resulting image developed in the film stripas a result of such scanning may be defined as a flat picture of thesurface of the three dimensional object 44 being scanned. Notation 35refers to a motor and drive for the takeup reel 28 which receives andstores the exposed film and which is preferably operated in accordancewith conventional drive means including a belt 36 utilized to drive theconventional takeup reel of a projector or camera.

' Rotation of the turntable 39 is illustrated as being effected by meansof a bevel gear 40 formed of or provided on the periphery of theturntable 39 which mates with and is driven by a bevel gear 43 securedto the shaft 4d of drive motor 41. It is to be noted that the shaft 42motor 34 to effect synchronization of the movement of the film androtation of the turntable 39 thereby eliminating the need for a separatedrive motor such as motor 41 and means for controlling said motor sothat it operates the turntable in synchronization with the film drivingmeans of the camera. Light for illuminating the surface of the object 44is provided by a plurality of flood lamps 3'7, 38, etc. The surface ofthe object being mapped may also be illuminated by one or more sourcesof coherent light generated by optical masers. A line source of laserlight may also be utilized to illuminate the surface of the object alongline areas thereof being scanned whereupon it may be possible toeliminate the mask 2-4 if the line source is synchronized to move withthe camera or is projected against the moving surface hand area beingscanned.

The photographic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 may be applied in theproduction of various articles of manufacture and in the study ormapping of various convex or concavo-convex articles, bodies orsurfaces. A conventional photograph derived by exposing a rectangularfilm frame to an image pattern received through a camera lens during asingle opening and closing of the camera shutter, provides an image ofan object, the sloping or receding surfaces of which are not to scaleand are distorted. Surface measurements based on such photographs, suchas distances between points, slopes and other characteristics aredifficult to make with precision and frequently require the use ofcomplex stereoscopic appar'atus. Accordingly, employment of theapparatus and method of surface photography described in FIG. 1 may beutilized to simpli'fy surface measurement and mapping.

In the production of various three dimensional or relief displays, theart of vacuum or pressure forming of a sheet of printed thermoplasticmaterial is employed. The production of the printing plates forillustrating such display sheet material is generally based onrulc-of-thumb and trial and error techniques which are tedious and timeconsuming, Accordingly, the following procedure is proposed forsimplifying and improving such procedures for art, plate and modelpreparation which procedure will result in an improved and more accuratefinishedv product.

(a) A model of the desired three. dimensional article or display isfirst constructed of any suitable material. The model is preferably theundecorated product itself although it may be the model, from which themold or die used to mold or shape the final product, is formed. Themodel is then hand illustrated or decorated or surface decorated by anysuitable method.

(b) The model is next placed in the position of the object 44 on theturntable 3-9 of FIG. 1. The position is preferably such that therotational axis of the turntable passes through or near the centroid orcenter of volume of the model or defines an axis about which the surfacebeing scanned is substantially rotating. For irregularly shapedconcave-convex objects such as illustrated in FIG. 1 a single axiscannot be defined about which all points on the surface of the objectwill revolve. However, for most concave objects an axis may bedetermined about which the scanned surface may rotate which will yielduseful results.

(c) The fiat photograph derived by scanning the original sunface may beemployed to produce a printing plate which is used to print fiat sheetsof forrnable material such as plastic which, when vacuum or pressureformed to the contour of the original object, if the illustrationderived from the plate is in registry with the mold or forming die, willhave its surface decorated with image areas in the same positionsthereon as the decorations or illustrations on the original model. Allhand layout and trial and error procedures are thus eliminated from suchprocedure.

By utilizing the above procedure, display devices may be produced inwhich the surface illustration is derived by' peripherally photographinga living animal, human being or manufactured article.- For example,plastic may be thermoformed or molded to substantially the full can touror half the contour of the subject being copied, although notnecessarily the same size. scribed technique of plate preparation may beemployed for printing halftone images or the like which are flatdevelopments of the image derived from the surface of a living humanbeing, animal or article. Upon registra tion with a forming die or mold,if formed to part of the contour of the originally photographed subject,the surface so illustrated will be a substantially accurate and arealistic reproduction of the original model.

A projection technique as illustrated in FIG. 2 may also be employed tophotographically illustrate the sur face of a three dimensional articlescaled or copied from that originally photographed. FIG. 2 illustratedan apparatus for exposing the photosensitized surface 443 of an object44' which is similarly shaped to the original object 44 and mounted toreceive an image attern of light along portions of its surfacecorresponding to sinrilarly shaped portions of the surface of theoriginallyphotographed object 44. A replica having the same surfacedecoration, illustration, or other features as the surface of theoriginal object 44 may thus be produced. However, it is noted that theobject 44 need not necessarily be the same scale or size as the object44 since the projection apparatus 51 of FIG. 2 may be provided with animage enlarging or reducing optical projection system. The apparatusconsists of a projector 51. having a housing 52 consisting of a rearwall 53, side walls 54 and 55, a front Wall 56 and end walls one ofwhich 57 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view. Disposed againstthe front wall 56 is a housing 58 con taining optical projectionapparatus for receiving light from a light source 59 mounted Within thehousing 52 through an opening 56' in the front wall 56. A section offilm 26' which has been derived by developing and fixing the film 26exposed in the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided as a closedloop and is driven, as. illustrated, in a closed loop path around fourpulleys; or wheels 63 to 71. At least one of the Wheels or drums; 63 isdriven by means of a constant speed motor and! drive 62 through shafts63 and 66 which. i e coupled:

The above de through gears 64 and 65. A gear assembly 67 couples theshaft 66 extending into the housing with the shaft of drum 68 which issupported in hearing by the end walls of the housing 52. Operating offthe shaft 68 on which the drum 68 is mounted is a driving belt 72connected to a pulley (not shown) secured to shaft 68 and connected atits other end to a toothed pulley, also not shown, secured to aturntable 73 at its center of rotation which turntable mounts the object44 to be exposed to the light modulated by the film 26.

Since parallel light is desirable to scan the image developed in thefilm 26', a suitable reflector 60 is provided behind light source 59 andlens means 61 causes parallel light to be imaged on a mask 74 having aslit 74S therein for passing a narrow band of light through the .film.The mask 74 may also be provided as part of the projection opticalsystem mounted within housing 58. The output of housing 58 is a narrowband of parallel light which is projected against the proper portion ofthe surface 445 of the object 44 which surface is covered with orcomprises a photosensitive material.

. In the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 2, the object'must beinitially so positioned that a band portion of its surface will receivea band of light passed through that portion of the developed film strip26 which received an image from a band of light scanning an area of theoriginal object 44 similar to the area of the object 44'.

By synchronizing the movement of the exposed film 26' and the rotationof table 73 such that all areas of the photosensitized surface of thecopy object 44' are exposed to light received from similar areas of theoriginal object 44, the same image as photographed of the originalobject may be developed in the copy object.

The object being scanned may have any suitable convex or concavo-convexshape but is preferably void of varies substantially, the camera may bemounted on a movable base which is guided in a path towards and awayfrom the turntable and is driven by a motor which is controlled by aprogramming or contour following means to move'towards and away from theturntable as the latter rotates so as to remain a constant distance awayfrom the surface being scanned or rotated in accordance with changes inthe attitude of the surface being scanned so as to receive an imagewhich is viewed normal to the surface being scanned by the opticalscanning system.

The turntable 39 may also be tiltable and positionally controlled intilt by a servo other than motor 41 which servo is program controlledand/or otherwise controlled by, for-example, contour sensing and controlmeans as applied for example to the control of metal working cuttingtools to predetermine the distance to be maintained from the surfaceand/or angle of the scanning axis or plane across the urface of theobject being photographed. If programming control is employed to controlthe relative positions and attitudes of the camera and object beingphotographed, servo means may be controlled by such programming controlto predetermine camera focus, lens opening at different points in ascanning cycle, etc. for both photographing and projecting thephotographed image to account or compensate for surface irregularities,shadows, etc.

In lieu of rotating the object 44 being scanned, the object may bemounted fixed while the camera is orbited or swings about an axis aroundthe object through which such axis preferably passes through thecentroid of the object. The camera, in such an arrangement, may bemounted on a carriage which travels a circular or otherwise contouredtrack or on an arm which is guided or pivoted to swing around the objectbeing scanned. Servo driven means may also be provided to position thecamera along the carriage or arm at predetermined distances away fromthe object being scanned and in a plurality of predetermined attitudesrelative to the surface being scanned so that a pictorial presentationis provided on film of the surface being scanned which is eitherdetermined by manual control or in accordance with a programmed cycle.The attitude of the camera may also be controlled by means of a contoursensor riding against or positioned away from the surface whereby thescanning axis of the camera will always be normal or at anypredetermined angle to the surface being scanned.

It is also noted that the closed loop film-strip 26 may be replaced by arotating disc or drum having a sensitized surface or circular band areaadapted for receiving light energy in the form of an image line asdescribed and adapted to be rotated in synchroniza 'tion with therelative movement of the camera or scanner and the object being scannedwhereby a circular or cylindrical' band image is developable ordeveloped therein and may be scanned or projected as described.

It is noted that the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may bemodified for mapping not only the surface ,of the article being scannedbut also for investigating and providing a peripheral representation ofcertain internal or other characteristics of an article or assembly. Forexample, the photographic camera may be replaced by an infra-redreceiver, image generator and recorder adapted to receive infra-redradiation generated internally within the surface or article and recordon photographic film in the shape of a film-strip as illustrated,recording disc or drum of sensitized material, by means of a line imageas described which line of radiation provides a visual presentation ofcharacteristics of either the surface and/or interior of the objectbeing scanned. Other forms of radiation may comprise (a) a line or bandof X-ray or other similar material penetrating radiation modulated inpassing through the object being scanned chronization with the movementof the film; (b) radar signals reflected from the surface being scannedand converted to a visual, photographable image by means of a scope.Movement of the object being scanned in a rotary path as described maysufiice to provide a changing image on an oscilloscope which the cameraoptical system scans and presents a line presentation against the movingfilm in the manner described.

Since certain changes may be made in the above process and apparatuswithout departing from thescope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Camera apparatus for mapping a curved surface and for providing aflat, pictorial representation of said surphotographed by said camera, afilm strip disposed within said camera, a transport secured within saidcamera housing for guiding said film strip through the field of saidoptical system, motor means for controlling the motion of said filmstrip through said optical system scanning field, said camera beingprepositioned relative to the surface to be photographed thereby withthe surface and camera in relative motion, means disposed relative tosaid optical system, means for presenting a narrow band of illuminatinglight against the surface of the object to be photographed whereby anarrow image strip of the total image of said surface is defined on saidfilm,

and means for controlling said motor means to move said film strip at aspeed proportional to the relative movement of the surface being scannedthrough the scanning field of the optical system such that, upondevelopment of said film strip, an image will be provided therein whichis substantially a two dimensional map of said surface.

2. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including meansfor rotating the object being scanned at a substantially constant speed.1

3. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 2 whereby the object beingscanned is rotated during scanning about an axis which passes throughthe center of volume of the object.

4. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including aturntable, said motor means being coupled for rotating said turntable,said object being-scanned being positioned on said turntable forrotation therewith, said scanning camera being fixedly disposed ad acentsaid turntable and positioned with the optical system thereof disposedfor scanning the central portion of sa1d object facing said camera. 4 V

'5. Camera apparatus for mapping a curved surface and for providing afiat recorded pictorial representation of said surface comprising incombination with an ob ect having a substantially convex surface, acamera housing,

a camera optical system operatively associated with said housing forreceiving images to be photographed by said camera, photographic filmdisposed within said camera, and operatively positioned whereby aportion of said film will receive light from said optical system, filmtransport means supported within said camera for guiding said film in apredetermined path within said housing and through the scanning field ofsaid optical system, controlled servo means for driving said film at apredetermined speed, and means associated with said optical system forpresenting a line image against said film of a portion of the fieldbeing scanned, means for relatively moving said optical system and saidobject at a speed synchronized to the movement of said film such thatthe line image scanning said film will generate therein, when said filmis developed, an image which is a two dimensional representation of thesurface of said object.

6. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said object issubstantially convex shaped around its entire surface and has pluralsurface irregularities protruding outward therefrom,

7. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means forrelatively moving said optical system and said object comprises a mountfor said object, and means for moving said mount with the object thereonthrough the scanning field of said optical system.

8. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means forrelatively moving said optical system and said object comprises a mountfor said camera, guide means for guiding said mount in a path aroundsaid object, and means for moving said mount with the camera securedthereto around said object with the scanning axis of said optical systemalways intersecting the surface of said ob ject.

9. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means moving saidoptical system and said object includes means for effecting relativemovement of said optical system and said object in a plurality ofdirections whereby said scanning field may be longitudinally shiftedwhile the film and said object move laterally.

10. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 9 and further including meansfor relatively moving said camera and said object whereby the scanningaxis may be angularly varied with respect to the surface of said object.

11. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said light in saidoptical system is provided by a source of coherent electromagneticradiation. 7

12. Camera apparatusas defined in claim 11 wherein said source is anoptical maser.

13. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said source is anoptical laser.

14. Apparatus for decorating curved surfaces of articles of manufacturecomprising in combination with an object to be copied, a photographicsystem including a periphery camera, said camera having a movingphotographic film, means for scanning a surface of said object andproviding an image in said film, said scanning means including a mountfor said object, means for rotating said mount in front 01 said camera,whereby the optical system of said camera is presented with a changingimage as the object is rotated with said mount masking means disposed insaid optical system including means for limiting the image intersectingsaid film to a narrow band of light, means for developing an image insaid film which is a flat representation of the surface of said image, aprojection means having a light source and an optical projection system,means for mounting and moving said developed film through the scanningfield of said optical projection system, said projection means includingmeans for projecting a changing band of light modulated by said movingfilm, an article having a surface portion of substantially similar shapeto at least a portion of said object to be copied, the surface of saidarticle being photosenitive to light from said proection system, a mountfor said article disposed adjacent sa1d projection means, means forsecuring said article to said mount to receive said band of light, andmeans for rotating said mount and said article at a rate synchronized tothe movement of said moving film to scan and expose sa1d photosensitivesurface of said article with a light pattern whereby said surface isdevelopable into image areas of similar light contrast to correspondingimage areas of said object photographed.

15. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein sa1d light in saidoptical system is provided from a source of penetrating electromagneticradiation which is capable of passing through said object to said cameraand wherein said object penetrated radiation is presented as a linescans to sa1d film by sa1d masking means.

16. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein sa1d source 1s anX-radiation source.

17. Camera apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein sa1d source 1s agamma radiation source.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,382,978 6/1921Hopkins 88-24 1,456,954 5/1923 Von Lucken 96-46 1,858,786 5/1932 Myers96-46 2,073,313 3/1937 Murray E" 96-46 2,413,349 12/1946 Hancock et al-125 2,425,929 8/1947 Foster 88-24 2,868,070 1/1959 OBrien et a1. 88-243,066,572 12/ 1962 Von Bubna-Littitz 88-24 3,176,308 3/1965 Jensen95-125 X FOREIGN PATENTS 259,730 10/ 1926 Great Britain.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. N. G. TORDIN, Examiner.

A. L. LIBERMAN, R. A. WINTERCORN,

Assistant Examiners.

1. CAMERA APPARATUS FOR MAPPING A CURVED SURFACE AND FOR PROVIDING AFLAT, PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION OF SAID SURFACE COMPRISING IN COMBINATIONWITH A CAMERA INCLUDING A HOUSING, AN OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR RECEIVINGIMAGES TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY SAID CAMERA, A FILM STRIP DISPOSED WITHINSAID CAMERA, A TRANSPORT SECURED WITHIN SAID CAMERA HOUSING FOR GUIDINGSAID FILM STRIP THROUGH THE FIELD OF SAID OPTICAL SYSTEM, MOTOR MEANSFOR CONTROLLING THE MOTION OF SAID FILM STRIP THROUGH SAID OPTICALSYSTEM SCANNING FIELD, SAID CAMERA BEING PREPOSITIONED RELATIVE TO THESURFACE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED THEREBY WITH THE SURFACE AND CAMERA INRELATIVE MOTION, MEANS DISPOSED RELATIVE TO SAID OPTICAL SYSTEM, MEANSFOR PRESENTING A NARROW BAND